THE LABOUR MP for Coventry South Zarah Sultana has welcomed the council’s voting to become a ‘Right to Food’ city.
Ms Sultana wrote a letter in the summer, co-ordinated with signatures from local groups such as Coventry Foodbank and Coventry trade union branches, addressed to the council leader, calling on him to support the city getting ‘Right to Food’ status.
A motion was brought forward by Binley and Willenhall Councillor Christine Thomas at the full council meeting on September 9.
Ms Sultana said: “I’m thrilled that Coventry City Council has voted to become a Right to Food city, sending a powerful signal to residents and the government that we abhor food poverty and are determined to rid it from the city.”
The Right to Food campaign – set up by Fans Supporting Foodbanks – was backed by England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford and has been supported by councils across the country, including in Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.
Food poverty has increased significantly during the pandemic, with nearly 6million adults and 1.7million children having experienced it.
